neednsnow

Looks like a grand ol time! Heading in March and thinking Kirkwood x 2, Squaw, and a question mark day. Last year, couldn't bring myself to leave Kirkwood any of the 4 days. (It was the only resort in the area getting snow and I was able to get a late-season pass for 100 bucks!!!! 25 bucks a day in multi-powder days=AWESOME)!

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Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.

say chi sin lo

I don't recommend Sierra-at-Tahoe AT ALL. Size wise, it's 1/3 of what Northstar has to offer. There's really one lift to take you from the base to the top. Also, the facilities there are a dump. I was thoroughly disgusted by the restrooms. The snow there is not spectacular either.

surfinsnow

Wow, this has been a pretty amusing thread, and interesting, since we'll be in Tahoe next Friday staying for two weeks. We've ridden Homewood (that's where the house is, right near Sunnyside), Heavenly, Kirkwood, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, Diamond Peak, Mt. Rose and Sugar Bowl. I loved every one, except I think I only loved Diamond Peak because the weather was perfect and we had $5 lift tickets. We only stayed for a few hours, but got every penny's worth of our $5. Since we're staying in North Lake instead of down near Heavenly, we actually have convenient access to more mountains. I don't really understand why people stay in SLT...it's a busy honkey-tonk kinda place. I guess if you're into nightlife it's a better choice (there is little, if any, on the north side), but you've only got Heavenly and Sierra close by. I like where we're staying...we can be at any number of mountains in barely half an hour (or less!).

As for the guy who got lost at Kirkwood and didn't know The Wall would be so difficult, and complained of poor signage...didn't the big 3-foot black skull and crossbones sign at the lift line give you a hint that you might be getting in over your head? I love Kirkwood, probably my favorite place at Tahoe. Yes, it can be intense in places, but while I was going to the top and hitting the blacks, my wife had an awesome day on the greens over at the Timber Creek area. Even she loves K'wood, and she's a low-intermediate skiier. I thought the drive through the Carson Pass was almost more intense than the mountain! It snowed pretty heavy ALL DAY on our last trip, and ended right about 4:00, just as we were getting off the mountain. The road was "clear," but even at 5-10 mph, the girls were in tears, screaming to slow down. That's another thing about K'wood...if they're calling for a dump, you'd better plan on staying. No way out if they close the pass.

As for Heavenly, we're debating whether or not to go again. Been three times...for snowboarders, the Skyline Trail along the ridge can be agony. If you get some decent speed at take off, you can make it almost all the way, but if you have to brake for any reason you're screwed. No way to regain speed. But the long run to the Galaxy base was worth the traverse. Beautiful, fast, but not at all steep. We went back later in the week when it was dumping snow, and that same run sucked ass...on a powder day, it's too flat for snowboarding. Heavenly has a lot to bitch about, but if you're going to Tahoe for the first time, it's kind of a "must see" mountain. It's huge, and the views of the desert and the lake at the same time are something you'll never forget.

Squaw Valley also gets a bad rap in this thread. Squaw is insane. As an Ice Coaster, I can honestly say it almost takes your breath away when you first pull into the parking lot. Weirdest thing for noobs is that most of the green terrain is at the top of the mountain, not the base. There are few named runs; they rate the lifts instead (don't take a black lift if you can't make it down a black trail). The place is also huge. Been there three times and still haven't ridden most of it. If you're looking for a challenge, Squaw will give it to you.

Homewood is an often-overlooked gem. It is one of the smaller mountains at Tahoe, and they market it as "mellow," but don't be fooled. There is really only one green run back to the base. The best thing about it is its size...driving up to Homewood is like pulling into a 7-11 parking lot, with steep black trails staring you in the face. Easy access, very light on the crowds. It's right on the water, so many of the runs offer views that are so amazing it's almost hard to concentrate on your riding. They also win "Best Trail Name" award for Glory Hole, a steep black that looks as if you're going to ride right down into the lake. I can't say enough good things about Homewood. It's got cheap lift tickets, wide variety of terrain, beautiful glades, and a great vibe. We usually hit it at least a couple of times (mid-week is best, of course) because it's five minutes from the house -- and Wednesday is Fish Taco night at Sunnyside!

Alpine Meadows is similar to Squaw, but not as intense. In fact, it's basically on the backside of Squaw. Homewood actually owns it now. Worth a trip, def. Lots of wide open bowl-ish runs. It's also a good choice for one of your off days as they are one of the few mountains to offer half-day lift tickets. Get there early...parking SUCKS. If you're staying in North Lake, take the free local shuttle.

Mount Rose is another one we'll be visiting again. The Chutes are crazy steep. I wish I could say I've ridden them, but my balls still aren't that big. But there is plenty of challenging terrain, and plenty of green and blue, to suit any ability. Mt. Rose is another mountain with a great local vibe, varied terrain, and awesome mid-week deals. It's not a tourist mountain. We're hittin twofer Tuesday (2-for-1 lift tix). Tailgate parties in the parking lot. Big deck at the base lodge so you bask in the sun. Last time we went we stopped by the side of the entrance road to check out the people hang-gliding off the rest area over the valley.

Diamond Peak is interesting. If you have limited time at Tahoe, don't go. Every run is accessed by one lift to the top, a ridgeline trail feeding into the rest of the mountain, kind of like exits off the NJ turnpike. You'll get bored fast, taking the same lift up over and over again. We had a great day, stopped for decent lunch on the deck overlooking the lake, but it's not worth skipping any of the other mountains for.

Sugar Bowl was the final stop on our last visit to Tahoe. We're bringing some friends with us next week, and SB will be high on the "must-do" list. I loved the place. We went mid-week, so the crowds weren't as bad as some said. It's very different than the other mountains mentioned. Like a cross between Kirkwood's chutes and Squaw's open bowls, with some Homewood thrown into the mix. If you want an extra adrenalin rush, access through the Donner Pass instead of the interstate.

gio28

Im gonna be going up on Valentines day weekend (Sunday I think) and I know most resorts will be packed full of people. Anyone have any suggestions on where the least amount of crowds will be? I was thinking either Homewood or Kirkwood. I know Homewood is overlooked by alot of people and Kirkwood is out of the way so they seem like the best choices. Any ideas?

surfinsnow

You've got it about right. Homewood and Kirkwood will be good bets. Great thing about Homewood is that even when it's "crowded," you don't really notice. They have a small parking area, which tends to limit the number of people on the mountain. IOW, once the parking lot is full, people stop coming. In contrast, I was at a smaller mountain in MA this weekend, and as long as people kept arriving, they'd find a place to park them and take their money. People were parked in corn fields, in lots 1/4 mile away, wherever they could put them. At Homewood, once the lot is full (and the limited amount of space along the roadside) people stop coming.

gio28

sweet thanks. I was leaning more towards Homewood anyways since it seems like a more beginner/intermediate (my level) oriented resort...at least compared to Kirkwood. And yeah you're definitely right about the lack of parking limiting the amount of people...I never thought of that.

Graphic Nature

:::surfinsnow:::

Everybody has opinions

surfinsnow

You're certainly welcome to offer your own opinion instead of just an emoticon. What about my post don't you agree with, Mr. Eye Roll? Kirkwood is fucking awesome! My favorite mountain at Tahoe. But 1) it isn't convenient, 2) it isn't exactly noob friendly, 3) Homewood is small and relaxed.

Any of the other "big" mountains are tourist traps on holidays. Would you recommend Heavenly? Puh-leeze. Northstar? Like skiing in a mall. Squaw? Great, awesome mountain, but on holiday it will be a zoo AND it is intimidating for beginner/intermediate riders. Alpine might be okay, if you're there really early or else don't mind parking two towns over and taking a bus in (exaggeration, of course, but you get the point). Am I wrong about ANY of these? If so, explain. If not, well...post another smiley.

I love Sugar Bowl, as I stated in my other post, but it's not exactly at "Tahoe." And given it's proximity to the interstate, it will be mobbed on the holiday weekend.

Seriously...tell me where I'm wrong about this! Help the guy out, don't just post a smiley.



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no u

I personally like North Star and Kirkwood.

surfinsnow

Took a day off today after spending day one at Homewood and yesterday at Kirkwood. Kirkwood was unfreakingbelievable! 50 degree bluebird day, but the snow never got mushy. In fact, the air is so dry right now the snow is actually getting better. Two days of riding with just a t shirt and hoodie! Can't do that in Vermont except for late late spring...if you're lucky. We've got some more friends flying in from back east on Wednesday and we're taking straight to Kirkwood. But we'll go back to Homewood, too...it's five minutes from the house and they have cheap midweek tix. Tomorrow we're hittin Mt Rose.